The Westford Wardsman, March, 1913
Saturday, March 1, 1913
Center. Mr. and Mrs. Henry M. Wright and son Livingston spent several days at [his brother’s] H. L. Wright’s this last week.
Miss Edna Ferguson has been enjoying a week’s vacation from her teaching in Beverly, spending the time at the parental home.
Inadvertently we omitted Mrs. Frank C. Bannister’s name from the capable committee in charge of the supper and entertainment at the Congregational parsonage this [last] week.
A little son [Leroy Herbert Cole] was recently born [Feb. 10, 1913] to Mr. and Mrs. Elmer D. Cole at their home in Tewksbury. Mrs. Cole was formerly Miss Edith Seifer, of this town.
Mrs. Lillian Lumbert was an over Sunday visitor with friends in Lowell.
Mr. and Mrs. William Seifer have recently welcomed a little daughter [Jennie W. Seifer b. Feb. 7, 1913] into their home.
Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Wright were visitors with relatives in Wakefield on Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Fisher’s many friends in Westford rejoice with them in Mr. Fisher’s change from instructor in manual training in the high school to principal of the Lowell Industrial school, the change being very much of a promotion.
Rev. David Wallace was called to Somerville the first of the week to officiate at the funeral of an old friend.
Miss Miranda Luce’s many friends are glad that she is feeling much better than earlier in the week. James Kimball spent Sunday with his aunt.
Mrs. George E. Jenkins, of Marblehead, has been visiting friends in town, and was a guest of the Tadmuck club on Tuesday afternoon.
Mrs. Calvin Howard has recently returned to her home from Concord, N.H., where she underwent a serious surgical operation. Her daughter, Miss Alice Howard, has resigned her librarian’s position at Cotuit and is with her mother at the Howard homestead [on Howard Road].
The regular monthly meeting of the Missionary society of the Congregational church met with its president, Miss Loker, at her home on last week Friday afternoon. Miss Harriet Hodgman was present and gave a talk of personal experiences and impressions of Montana as she saw them during a stay at her brother’s home in Bozeman a few years ago. The ladies of the society have recently bought and made up from orders received a sixty-yard piece of linen toweling. This was partly in dish towels and some in roller towels. A second piece of sixty yards has been purchased and more than a quarter of it has been engaged.
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur H. Burnham received the unhappy intelligence on last Sunday that their son, Chester, who is a student at Amherst Agricultural college, was sick with scarlet fever. The recent epidemic there, all traceable to an infected can of milk, was thought to be over, and the new outbreak is most regrettable. Chester is quarantined at the college hospital and reports are that he is quite sick. Added to this, Mrs. Burnham received word the following day of the death of her aged father at Thetford, Vt., where she went to attend the funeral.
Rev. F. E. Carver, of Dracut, preached in exchange with Mr. Wallace at the Congregational church on last Sunday morning. Mr. Carver preached an excellent sermon from the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, making many practical applications to daily living. At the evening service, Mr. Wallace gave a helpful talk for the Lenten season. There was special singing by Miss Ferguson, morning and evening.
Wallace Johnson, our local ice dealer, has finished harvesting his crop at Burgess pond. He states that he has secured the usual amount and that the ice is of good quality. In this almost phenomenal season, various stories of unseasonable happenings have been told. One of our residents, while working on the ice at Burgess pond, noticed some butterflies flying around. He spoke of it to some of the other men, who proceeded to jolly him, thinking he was “seein’ things.” Later, while they were having their dinner in the warm sunshine, all hands saw a particularly large, fine specimen of a butterfly flying about up near the eaves of the building, and it was a case of “seeing is believing.” Not often do ice harvesting and butterflies go together.
Rev. David Wallace read a paper on “The spiritual message of Robert Browning,” before the regular monthly meeting of the Haverhill ministers on Friday of this week.
Grange. At the grange on last week Thursday evening the program for the lecturer’s hour was a debate as follows: Resolved, “That our ancestors a century ago enjoyed more genuine comfort of home life than we do at present.” Mrs. F. C. Wright and Mrs. J. E. Knight argued for the affirmative and Mrs. David Wallace and Mrs. L. W. Wheeler for the negative. The virtues of the “good old times” were set forth in well written papers by the first two speakers, and were interestingly convincing. On the other side, Mrs. Wallace and Mrs. Wheeler extolled modern conditions just as strenuously. The debate was supplemented by other speakers and the topic proved one of live interest. Mr. Wheeler added to the program with reading.
At the business session, committees were chosen and arrangements made for the observance of the eighteenth anniversary of the Westford grange. Charles M. Gardner, state master, will be the special guest and speaker of the evening. All charter members are to be specially invited. There will be a program of music and readings, and refreshments will be served.
Tadmuck Club. The regular meeting of the Tadmuck club took place on Tuesday afternoon. Besides the regular members, there were six visitors present. The matter of changing the hour of beginning back to three o’clock was brought up and it was decided not to make any change, but to continue commencing at 2:30. With the earlier closing of the school sessions, it will not be difficult for the teachers to be present at that hour. The president had recently received letters from Mrs. H. B. Hall and from Mrs. B. H. Bailey in which they extended cordial greetings to the club members.
The program for the afternoon was in charge of the president, Miss Loker. By special request, “Book reviews” was the subject and the quotation for the afternoon was “Books, like friends, should be well chosen.” Miss Loker reviewed especially, “The silent isle,” by Arthur Christopher Benson, and with clear insight, conveyed much of the charm of this scholarly English writer. Miss Mary P. Bunce contributed a biographical sketch of Charles Kingsley from the book “The leaves of the tree,” by the same author. Principal Roudenbush, of the academy, completed the program with a discriminating and entertaining sketch of the book “Marjory,” by E. F. Benson.
The next meeting, March 11, will be of especial interest when Miss Sarah A. Drew, of Cambridge, who has previously spoken before this club, will give one of her enjoyable art talks, “Assisi, the country of St. Francis.” This meeting will be held in the Unitarian church parlors. Club tea will be served, the hostesses for the afternoon being Mrs. Sutherland, Mrs. Gould and Miss Moran.
Change in School Sessions. The plan of changing the time of sessions at the Center school, which has been under consideration for some time, went into effect on last Monday. The new schedule is as follows:
School begins at 8:30 a.m. with a ten-minute recess in the forenoon and a twenty-minute intermission at noon, and closing at 1:45 p.m. This applies to the Frost school. At the academy, there is a forty-minute intermission at noon and closing at 1:45, the same as at the Frost school.
The school committee have voted for the present to transport pupils by electric car from Forge Village, Graniteville and Brookside. There are at present about seventeen pupils from the first two villages and the matter of transportation is a serious one for them. The quarter of two car leaving the village is a lively proposition these days with the academy pupils added to the scholars already carried, plus any townspeople who may go at that time.
Farmers’ Institute. Middlesex North Institute held in conjunction with Westford grange took place on Wednesday at the town hall. Perhaps the attendance was not up to what it has been at some similar events, but the program was an excellent one, and all arrangements well carried out. The morning session was called to order at the appointed time by Howard W. Foster, chairman of the committee on institutes, who introduced the speaker of the day, Sumner H. Reed, of West Brookfield, who gave for the morning address “The up-to-date farmer.”
Mr. Reed is a practical, all-around farmer of large experience and proved himself fully capable of handling this subject. His up-to-date farmer should be one of high ideals, of practical ability, alive to his opportunities, and capable of aspirations, inspiration and perspiration. He outlined the advantages open to the farm dwellers of today, the accessibility of good libraries and good literature, and stated that the opportunities of the graded and high schools were equal to the college training of fifty years ago. The up-to-date farm home was finely portrayed with its changed conditions in heating, lighting, sanitation and other comforts. Improved farming implements and cold storage were touched upon.
Mr. Reed then passed on to the right sort of crops to raise, being of the opinion it was best as a rule to plan for the wants of nearby cities which are so well distributed in our state. The perishable crops pay better than grains, although corn production is on the increase.
Various phases of the much agitated and vital milk question were next touched upon, as well as the formidable competition of southern markets as regards vegetables and small fruits.
The live topic of orcharding was next taken up and up-to-date methods were outlined, giving specific instances of high prices for choice fruit properly raised and marketed. The speaker fully recognized the cost of raising such fruit as an offset to net income. The raising of cranberries, poultry, popcorn and horseradish and their possibilities were all sensibly touched upon.
That Yankee gumption in good measure, thought, study and application to offset cash income against cash out-go were necessary for the up-to-date farm was made very plain. After some questions and answers, recess for the noon hour was declared.
An abundant and excellent dinner was served in the lower hall by the ladies of Westford grange. Rev. David Wallace invoked divine blessing. The post prandial exercises were most enjoyable and well planned. Mrs. Belle Harrington Hall, of Lowell, who is not a stranger to Westford audiences, proved herself the best of after-dinner entertainers, generously responding to encores that were one good laugh after another. There was singing by pupils of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth grades of the Frost school. Other after-dinner speakers were Mr. Smith, of Lowell, on “insurance,” Henry M. Howard, of Newton, representing the State Board of Agriculture; also, Mr. Reed, Mr. Foster, Mr. Wallace and Mr. Corkum, all in felicitous vein and with combined wit and wisdom. A much-missed person at this gathering was Samuel L. Taylor, representative in the legislature, who has been confined to his home with illness. The afternoon session was called together at the time specified.
The speaker of the day then took up “The farmer’s club,” some advantages to the individual being the training in extemporaneous speaking and the training received in the preparation of papers and addresses. After some questions and answers, the second topic of the afternoon was taken up of “The value of the silo.”
He dwelt upon the importance of the corn crop, referring to the $1000 cash prize recently offered in Billerica for the largest yield of corn per acre, and went on to tell of methods he would suggest using. He spoke of the importance of ensilage, told of seeing a stalk of Eureka corn twenty-five feet high, with five ears, and also fifty eight tons of Eureka corn being raised on one acre, these as illustrated in the possibilities in corn production.
Time came for adjournment, and very little time was left for discussion of the silo. The branch line electrics made hourly trips during the hours of the session. Miss Rachael Wall contributed a vocal solo to the afternoon’s program, accompanied by Miss Hazel Hartford. Great credit is due Mrs. Joseph E. Knight, who had charge of the dinner and all arrangements locally. She was assisted by a capable group of helpers.
About Town. John Wilson has been under the doctor’s care, suffering from a bad cold.
Word has been received by Mr. and Mrs. Burnham that their son Chester has scarlet fever. He is a student at the State Agricultural college at Amherst. A number of students have had the scarlet fever there. A fraternity house has been turned into a contagion hospital, and the physician in charge sends bulletins every day to the Burnham homestead. Chester Burnham was a room-mate of another Westford boy, Herbert Walkden.
Loren J. Ellingwood, of West Chelmsford, has sold his cottage house and land, corner of Groton and Oak hill road, known as Whidden’s corner, to Charles A. Bayard, of West Chelmsford, quarry foreman for the H. E. Fletcher Co.
The name of the Polander who bought the George W. Bussey farm at Brookside will stand for the present as Tomasz Nawrocki.
A caucus of the republican voters of the town will be held at the town hall on next Tuesday evening to nominate candidates for town officers to be voted for at the annual town meeting to be held on Monday, March 17.
John J. Walker, of Natick, the one-time active, frolicsome boy of the old Stony Brook school, has been a recent visitor to the scenes of his youth at the old Walker homestead [148] Main street.
A Visit. The Appalachian club, which has its headquarters in Boston, and a wide membership, including all the New England states—is noted for the trips, mostly walking trips, which its members take. On last Sunday some of the members passed through our town and made a short stop here while they were taking one of their famous cross-country tramps.
Quite a large party left Boston on Saturday morning and walked up to Concord, spending the night at the Concord Inn. Owing to the inclement weather, some of them went back to Boston, but on Sunday morning there were twenty-seven left to continue on the trip as outlined. It was a beautiful sunny day, and the party got an early start. They took the train at Concord Junction for Carlisle, where they stopped to see the Carlisle Pines, a tract of land with beautiful tall pine trees on it, now a state reservation. From here they walked over Bear hill to Westford depot, where they had previously secured permission to eat the luncheon they brought with them, but Mrs. J. Willard Fletcher very hospitably invited them to her own home and served them hot coffee, which was much appreciated.
From here their route lay to Long-Sought-for pond to see the boulders there which are becoming more and more objects of interest on account of their size, thence to Oak hill to see the granite quarries, thence they went across the country to the Vesper clubhouse on Tyngs’ island in Tyngsboro, for their supper. They later took the train for Boston.
There were fourteen women in the party and thirteen men, under the leadership of T. S. Conant. Among the group were Miss Hill, a teacher in Rogers Hall school, Lowell, and a sister of Mrs. Thomas Jay Horner, who formerly lived here while her husband was pastor of the Unitarian church. Miss Emily Fletcher came down from the Center to Mrs. Fletcher’s home to assist her in giving this group of the Appalachian club a friendly welcome to Westford.
On account of the warm spell of last week, the Daniel Gage Ice Co., of Lowell, were obliged to quit work as the ice had melted to such a condition as to make the work dangerous. Work was resumed on Tuesday morning, however, and a fine crop of ice is now expected. The ice is from five to nine inches in thickness and the icehouses are now about half full.
Thomas Blowry, the eight-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Blowry, is ill at his home with pneumonia. Dr. C. A. Blaney is in attendance.
The Ladies’ Sewing Circle held their last week’s meeting at the home of Mrs. Nelson Prescott.
John Spinner, sr., while moving furniture at his home, injured his back quite severely on Tuesday. He is attended by Dr. C. A. Blaney.
Mr. and Mrs. John McNiff have welcomed a little daughter [Edith McKniff, per the 1913 Westford Town Report, born Feb. 22] into their home.
Mrs. Daniel Lord and Miss Marion Lord spent Saturday in South Framingham. While there they visited the South Framingham hospital, where Mrs. Lord’s two daughters, May and Helen, are studying nursing.
Sunday being the first Sunday in March, communion services will be held at St. Andrew’s mission at 9:30 o’clock in the morning.
Rev. A. L. Bumpus met the confirmation class at St. Andrew’s mission on Wednesday afternoon.
Lenten services were held on Wednesday evening at 7:30 o’clock, Rev. A. L. Bumpus occupying the pulpit.
The Misses Sarah Precious and Emily Collins were the guests over Sunday of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Longbottom, of East Lexington.
Mrs. Harriet E. Randall entertained Archie S. Bennett, of Boston, at her home last week.
Mr. and Mrs. Felix Leclerc and daughter, Miss Annie, left for Canada the first of the week, being called there by the death of Mrs. Leclerc’s sister.
Graniteville. Both masses in St. Catherine’s church on last Sunday morning were celebrated by the pastor, Rev. Edmund T. Schofield. After the second mass, a meeting was held by the men of the parish for the purpose of forming plans to participate in the big parade that will be held in Lowell on March 29. The usual Lenten devotions were held in the church on Friday evening.
Mrs. Charles Farrar, of West Graniteville, who has been quite ill for the past few days, is now feeling very much improved.
Mr. and Mrs. Skeery, of Lawrence, have been recent guests of Dr. and Mrs. W. H. Sherman.
Miss Mabel Loftus, with a girl friend from Lowell, have been recent guests of Miss Annie Gower.
Miss Willet A. Chandler, of East Billerica, has been visiting with her uncle, A. R. Choate, for the past few days.
Good skating has been enjoyed on the mill pond here this week, and the younger element has taken every advantage of it.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert McNabb, who have been living in Norfolk, Va., for the past few months, are now at the home of [her parents] Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Rafferty. Mrs. McNabb was formerly Miss Catherine Rafferty, of this village.
Although the weather is rather chilly at present, the local baseball clubs are now forming plans for next season’s campaign. Both the regular Graniteville team and the White Sox will have strong clubs on the diamond this coming season, and are bound to give a good account of themselves.
Plans for the coming inauguration ball to be given by the democrats of Westford in the town hall on March 27 are now going on and this affair promises to be the biggest social event held in the town hall for a long time.
Saturday, March 8, 1913
Center. The inaugural ball, which is to take place at the town hall on March 27, is being looked forward to as one of the events of the season. This is in the hands of capable committees, and Poole’s orchestra, which gave such fine music for the firemen’s ball, has been secured and is well worth waiting for.
There will be a lecture at the town hall on Friday evening, March 14, at eight o’clock, under the auspices of Westford academy. Mrs. Anna Stevens Duryea, one of the Peace Foundation lecturers, will speak on “The new internationalism.” In other communities where this lecture has been given, it has been very well received, Mrs. Duryea being a speaker of dignity and ability. There will be no admission and a good attendance is hoped for.
A large company of Greek friends and relatives came to the home of Mrs. Vilison [Vacilios] Socorelis on last Sunday from Lowell to participate in the betrothal ceremonies of her daughter, Miss Mary [Maria] Socorelis, who is soon to be married to one of her countrymen. The prospective bridegroom’s name [Thomas Perevoliotis] is not quite easily pronounced and spelled, but he is spoken of as an excellent young man with a good position.
Mrs. A. H. Sutherland attended the winter field meeting at Wilmington grange on Thursday of last week, and from there went to Boston and Somerville, visiting relatives for a few days. Mrs. Sutherland enjoyed seeing the play “In the Garden of Allah,” as the Boston theatre, as have also many others from this town.
Pleasant letters come to the Westford friends from Mr. and Mrs. William A. Perkins from their home in Grafton, where they are pleasantly located. They never fail to cherish pleasantly the friendships and associations made during their stay in Westford.
During the high, cold wind on Monday, it was found impossible to heat the academy school [now Roudenbush Community Center] rooms adequately and school was dismissed shortly before noon.
Several cases of sickness among the children at the Frost school last week made it seem advisable to school physician Blaney to close the school for a few days, while the cases under observation should be determined upon. One of the children living at Brookside developed tonsillitis, and Walter Fletcher, at Westford Depot, has pneumonia. At the present time there are many still out sick with colds, tonsillitis, etc., but fortunately no really contagious diseases, strictly speaking.
Word has been received in Westford of the death of Edward M. Raymond, of Boston. Mr. Raymond was a well-known art connoisseur and many beautiful gifts, including pictures, statuary, vases and engravings in our library were gifts from him. Westford was the home of his maternal grandparents, and he was much interested in the town, especially the library. He had not been well for some time, and at the last death was due to pneumonia.
Miss Bunce at the library, always alert and progressive for the best library service for the community, has recently arranged a sort of bulletin board with posters made from the outer paper covers that come on the new books. Beside the title and author there is often descriptive matter in addition, and one can tell at a glance facts concerning the new books.
Miss Mary Morin’s Westford relatives have received word of her safe arrival at her brother’s home in California and of a pleasant journey across the continent.
The miniature blizzard on Westford hill last Sunday afternoon was sharp and severe. The snow at one time was so thick and blinding that objects even a few feet away could not be seen. The high wind continued to blow during the night, doing considerable damage to the shade trees. The light snow the preceding Thursday which turned into rain made trees and shrubbery a beautiful sight when the sun came out but at the same time caused trouble with icy rails on the branch line electrics.
Mrs. Edward Fisher has as her guest this week her sister, Mrs. Blanchard, of Swampscott.
Mrs. Frost is making room in her home for Mr. Roudenbush to establish a home for himself and family. Mrs. Roudenbush expects to come from Clifton Springs, N.Y., next month and they will occupy the lower floor of the house, also one of the upstairs rooms. Mrs. Frost will reserve the other rooms for her own occupancy. Mrs. Roudenbush’s father will be a member of the new household.
Rev. David Wallace conducted a Lenten prayer meeting at the vestry on Wednesday evening of this week.
Members of the Tadmuck club are reminded of the attractive meeting planned for next Tuesday afternoon at the Unitarian church parlors. Miss Sarah A. Drew, of Cambridge, is the speaker and will give one of her interesting art talks, the subject being “Assisi—the country of St. Francis.” Club tea will be served, the hostesses being Mrs. Sutherland and Miss Mary E. Moran. A good and prompt attendance is hoped for.
Oscar R. Spalding has recently added a fine roan draught horse to his equipment for teaming purposes, and Edward M. Abbot has also recently bought a handsome driving and saddle horse. Different types, but both handsome specimens of their kind.
Miss Mary Vaughn, of Woodstock, Vt., has been the guest this week of her aunt, Mrs. Etta Tyler.
Rev. William J. Batt, the long time chaplain at Concord reformatory, and so well known in the Middlesex Association of Churches, will be the speaker at the Congregational church on Sunday morning, his subject being “Some problems of national life,” taking up especially some phases of the negro problem. On Sunday evening there will be a union temperance meeting at Graniteville with the church there. A good delegation are planning to go from this village.
Mrs. Fletcher Peckins is seriously ill at her home. Mrs. James Hildreth, the oldest lady in town, ninety-five her last birthday, who was recently reported very ill with bronchitis, has rallied considerably.
About Town. Alexander F. Courtney, living on Francis hill, is seriously ill, the result of an accident at Brookside mills several years ago by which he was severely pinched against a post by an iron bar attached to fast moving machinery. Although nominally recovered from this, it is still a troublesome factor, and suddenly breaks out in surprises when other physical weaknesses apparently invite it. Pneumonia has since developed.
George C. Moore has sold to William P. Proctor, of Dunstable, the extensive and beautiful pine reservation which forms the inspiring landscape on the southerly shores of Nabnassett pond. Mr. Moore had cleared and fitted this up as a park reservation—here the deer found shelter in winter and frolic in summer. To the lover of nature it always impressed with a convincing appeal for preservation with its added charms to Nabnassett. Its destruction must be charged up to the bugging department of nature. Its beauty and symmetry will soon all vanish in cordwood and bushel boxes. [Mr. Moore sold to the William P. Proctor Co. only the “standing wood and timber” on “80 acres” of land between “Old Plain Road” and “Nabnasset Pond… together with the right to cut and carry away the said standing wood and timber at any time within two years from April 1, 1912.” See N. Middlesex Deed Bk. 481, pp. 495-496, dated 14 Mar 1912.]
At the republican caucus on Tuesday evening, H. V. Hildreth was chosen chairman and Alfred W. Hartford as secretary. The following nominations were made: Sherman H. Fletcher, selectman; Charles D. Colburn 3 yrs., J. Austin Healy 2yrs., assessors; Charles L. Hildreth, overseer of poor; Harwood L. Wright, treas.; Leonard W. Wheeler, collector; William R. Taylor, auditor; Harry L. Nesmith, tree warden; Charles T. Brooks, John A. Sullivan, constables; Frank L. Furbush, Arthur E. Day, school committee 3 yrs.; Charles O. Prescott 3 yrs., John P. Wright 1 yr., library trustees; David L. Greig, cemetery commissioner.
David L. Greig is seriously ill at his home on Main street with what gives strong evidence of blood poisoning. Dr. Wells, of Westford, and Drs. Gage and Gardner, of Lowell, are treating the case with expert medical skill. Mr. Greig is one of the large thrifty farmers of the town, as well as active in being about and part of the social life of the town.
Walter Fletcher is ill with pneumonia at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. Willard Fletcher, at Westford Station. Dr. Blaney is attending the case in a skillful manner and the patient seems to be progressing rapidly.
Mrs. Eben Prescott, assisted by some of the ladies, managed a successful social in the vestry of the Unitarian church on last week Friday evening. Everything was happily arranged and efficiently enacted. For entertainment, there was a violin solo by Walter Steele, with Miss Grace Lumbert accompanist; song, Miss Lillian Sutherland; song, Mrs. Blaney, Miss Hazel Hartford accompanist. After all these cheerful helps, a social dance was arranged to lively music by Miss Lumbert at the piano, and Walter Steele accompanying on the violin.
George A. Monegan has sold his cottage house n Parkerville to a Lowell party, who will take possession about April 1.
Percy Yarnold has sold his farm in Parkerville on the Texas road to James H. Crawford, of New Hampshire, who will take possession early April.
Those who remember the family of Rev. Burke F. Leavitt, who once occupied the house where George Heywood now lives, will be interested in learning that the son, Rev. Ashley D. Leavitt, has accepted a call to the State Street Congregational church in Portland, Me. He has made a reputation for himself in his present charge at Concord, N.H., and now leaves for a larger field of usefulness.
The friends of Mrs. Edwin Heywood, who formerly lived on the farm now owned by the Sargents, will be glad to hear that she has recovered from her illness, which necessitated her being in the hospital, and is now back again at the home of her daughter, Mrs. White [nee Lottie E. Heywood].
Mr. and Mrs. Sabin [Saben], of Concord, N.H., are rejoicing in the birth of a daughter [Jeanette Saben]. Mrs. Sabin was formerly Grace Fletcher.
Albert Day, who has been taking special courses this winter at the state college at Amherst, has been offered a good position as manager of a poultry plant in Ipswich. Mr. Day will leave for his position the first of April.
The W.C.T.U. met at the home of Mrs. George Walker on Wednesday afternoon. There was a good number present. It was voted to have the county convention of the W.C.T.U. meet here on May 12. Further notices will be given later about the interesting program.
There will be a union church service in the interests of temperance at Graniteville on Sunday evening. A barge will take people from the Center to Graniteville.
Death. George W. Whitney died at his home on the Lowell road on last Saturday evening, aged 35 years, 6 months[, 7 days]. For fifteen years he had suffered from the crippling effects of rheumatism and other complications. For the last few months he had been an intense sufferer, requiring constant care, which was lavishly bestowed by fond parents and other relatives, and kindness of neighbors. He was a native of Lowell and educated in the public schools of that place. In 1896, the family removed from Lowell to Westford, onto the farm on the Lowell road where they have since resided. In the neighborhood and in the companionships of life he was agreeable, sociable and affable. He leaves besides his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Whitney, of Westford, one brother, Charles H. Whitney, jr., of Lowell, and several nephews and nieces. The funeral took place on Tuesday at twelve o’clock from the home of his parents, and at 2:30 o’clock from the Edson cemetery, Lowell. Rev. David Wallace conducted the services.
Mrs. Charles Wright and Miss Grace Lumbert sang “The christian’s good night,” and “Sometime we’ll understand.” The bearers were William Graves, Frank C. Drew, Amos Polley and Guy R. Decater at the Edson cemetery. Edward Wirt and Miss Hazel Wirt sang “Face to face,” and “Abide with me.” Burial was in the family lot in the Edson cemetery, where the final services were conducted by Rev. David Wallace.
Graniteville. The board of registrars met in Healy’s hall on last Monday night, and several new names were added to the voting list.
The members of Court Graniteville, F. of A., held a well attended and interesting meeting in their rooms on last week Thursday evening, with C. E. Dudevoir, chief ranger, in the chair. Business of importance was transacted, four applications were received and two candidates initiated into membership of the order.
The school committee appears to have made a good move in transporting the high school pupils from here and Forge Village to the Westford academy for the regular sessions, and the school hours have been changed to conform to the running time of the electric cars. It is certainly a roundabout way to Westford, but much better than walking, and the pupils, as well as their parents here, appreciate the change to the fullest extent.
Hon. Edward Fisher presided at the democratic caucus held in the town hall on Monday night, with Edward Riney as secretary. The result of the nominations were as follows: Elmer E. Nutting, selectman 1 yr.; Charles D. Colburn, assessor 3 yrs.; J. Austin Healy, assessor 1 yr.; Chas. L. Hildreth, overseer of poor 3 yrs.; Harwood L. Wright, treas.; Leonard W. Wheeler, collector; William R. Taylor, auditor; Charles T. Brooks, John A. Sullivan, constables; Horace E. Gould, Michael L. McGlinchey, 3 yrs., Albert R. Wall, 1 yr., school board; Charles O. Prescott, 3 yrs., John P. Wright, 1 yr., library trustees; David L. Greig, commissioner of burial grounds; Harry L. Nesmith, tree warden.
The Knights of King Arthur are now busy rehearsing for their Easter concert of Irish music to be given in the vestry of the M.E. church on Monday evening, March 24. This promises to be a very pleasing affair.
Miss Catherine Conley, who has been ill with the grippe, is now convalescent.
Both masses in St. Catherine’s church on Sunday morning were celebrated by Rev. Edmund C. Mitchell, who delivered short but important instructions to large congregations at both masses. The usual Lenten devotions were held in the church on Friday evening. The services were conducted by Rev. Edward C. Mitchell, who delivered an eloquent sermon appropriate to the solemn season of Lent. After the sermon the benediction of the blessed sacrament was given, the service ending by all rising and singing “Holy God we praise they name.” The regular choir was in attendance. After the services a meeting was held for the purpose of forming plans to participate in the big parade that will be held in Lowell on March 29.
Saturday, March 15 1913
Center. Mrs. Sarah J. Drew and Miss Mabel Drew are visiting the George Albert Drews in Greenwich, Conn.
Mrs. Homer M. Seavey’s many friends are sorry she is among the sick ones and under the doctor’s care.
Miss Edna Ferguson, from Presque Isle, Me., has been enjoying the spring vacation from her teaching with the home people.
Frank Johnson is at home in the Westford depot neighborhood after several years spent in various localities in the West.
Miss Margaret Blanchard of Somerville was an over Sunday guest at the Congregational parsonage this last week.
Mrs. Houghton G. Osgood has been spending a week with Mr. and Mrs. Lyman E. Wilkins at their home in Cambridge.
Pleasant letters from the Misses Atwood, who are spending the winter in Florida, to the Westford friends [have been received]. After three months in Jacksonville they are going to Cuba and other interesting places, namely St. Augustine, Daytona, Palm Beach and Key West and Havana.
The town reports have been circulated this week, and expenditures and income have been read with interest by the voters and other taxpayers. Vital statistics recorded are births 68, marriages 29, deaths 47.
The Ladies’ Aid of the Congregational church met very pleasantly with Mrs. D. V. Wells Wednesday afternoon of this week. There was a good attendance and considerable work was accomplished.
The stray heifer which has been running loose since November at the south part of the town has been finally captured by John Burbeck. Mr. Burbeck has made considerable effort in behalf of the creature, and is anxious to find an owner to claim it. The animal was pretty wild and was finally caught by luring it into an old barn and feeding it and then shutting the doors. With the help of a neighbor, Mr. Burbeck got it tied up, and is now looking for a claimant.
Grange. Westford grange observed the eighteenth anniversary of its organization last week Thursday evening under very pleasant conditions. The only thing to be regretted was the cold, blustering evening, making it almost impossible for any to come from a distance and also affecting the attendance of the home members. State master Charles M. Gardner was the especial guest and speaker of the evening, and gave an excellent address on “The Enduring Grange.” He gave special greeting to the charter members, saying that without them and the work they did could there be any anniversary. His enduring grange should be one radiating hope and courage, should be neighborly, full of tolerance, willing to work hard and to be able to recruit new forces. Three sub-topics the speaker worked out with eloquent good sense. The program was supplemented with music and readings, and a roll call of charter members, which brought out a varied and interesting response. Later adjournment was made to the lower hall and refreshments of ice cream, cake and coffee were served. The supper room was made attractive with rugs, screens and plants, and a prettily decorated central serving table. Nasturtiums and asparagus ferns were used to decorate with. The committee on program for the evening were the worthy master, William R. Taylor, and the lecturer, Miss Grace Lumbert; committee on refreshments, Mrs. A. N. Hartford, Mrs. John P. Wright, Mrs. O. V. Wells and Mrs. D. W. Wheeler.
Clipping. The following is quoted from the Boston Herald of March 10: “Edward M. Raymond, a native and resident of Charlestown until two years ago, and said to be the owner of one of the most valuable collections of curios in the world, died yesterday [March 4, 1913] at the City hospital, following a brief illness. Mr. Raymond inherited considerable real estate in Charlestown from his father and while a young man began collecting curios from all parts of the world. He frequently made gifts to museums and was regarded as an authority on rare articles.” Mr. Raymond’s gracious beneficence to our own library is so well known and appreciated that we do not need to enlarge upon it.
Mr. Charles O. Prescott, representing the board of library trustees, attended Mr. Raymond’s funeral, and a tribute to his memory for several days at the library was a beautiful vase of carnations with suitable card attached.
Tadmuck Club. At the Tadmuck club Tuesday afternoon, which met in the parlors of the Unitarian church, the program was an art lesson. Miss Sarah A. Drew of Cambridge lectured on “Assisi—the Country of St. Francis,” illustrating with many fine pictures. Miss Drew is a thorough student and had spent much time in the beautiful Umbrian valley, and her portrayal of St. Francis, who has been called the most literal Christian who ever lived, the monastery which he founded and her descriptions of the country as it was then and as it is now with its beautiful church, was cleverly drawn. Questions were asked and answered, and the pictures which were passed about among the audience were carefully explained.
Preceding the lecture, Mrs. Helen C. Fitton sang a solo, accompanied by Miss Ruth Furbush at the piano.
Miss Alice Howard was admitted into membership.
It was pleasant to have as a guest Mrs. Wilcox, president of the Littleton Woman’s club. At the close of the program a pretty club tea was served, in charge of Mrs. A. H. Sutherland, Miss Mary E. Moran and Mrs. Arthur E. Wilson.
The next meeting, March 25, the program will be “Folk-lore Songs,” in charge of Mrs. Homer M. Seavey and Miss Gertrude D. Fletcher. Mrs. Herbert D. Foss of Cambridge, a soloist of ability, has been engaged to sing.
Forge Village. Miss Drew of Groton conducted rehearsals for “The Fairy of the Fountain” in Recreation hall on Thursday evening. Mrs. Marian M. Andrews of Groton met all those interested in the singing at the home of Mrs. M. A. Lowther the same evening.
Mrs. R. D. Prescott entertained the members of the Ladies’ Sewing circle at her home on Thursday afternoon.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Locha was the scene of a very pretty birthday party on Saturday evening, it being the fourteenth anniversary of the birth of their daughter Josephine. A bountiful supper was served, after which music and games were played. Miss Josephine was the recipient of many pretty presents.
On next Monday Cameron school closes for the annual two weeks’ vacation, which closes the winter term of the school year.
Mr. and Mrs. John May of Keighley, Eng., are recent arrivals here. They are staying with Mr. May’s father, Patrick May of Bradford street.
Mr. and Mrs. James Wilson have as their guest their son, William Wilson of New York city.
Little Nora McNiff, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John McNiff, is quite ill with pneumonia. She is attended by Dr. W. H. Sherman.
Mrs. Harriet L. Randall and Alvin S. Bennett are suffering with severe colds. Mrs. [Mr.; see correction next week] Bennett, who is now eighty-six years old, is preparing for a trip to Wisconsin, her old home.
William Leahy, manager of the Daniel Gage ice houses here, has recently sold his estate in Ayer and is contemplating building either in Ayer or this village.
Graniteville. The Ladies’ Aid society of the M.E. church met with Mrs. George Gilson on Thursday afternoon during which business of importance was transacted.
The public schools will remain closed for the next two weeks for the annual spring vacation.
The union temperance lecture service that was held in the M.E. church on last Sunday evening with Rev. David Wallace of the Congregational church, Westford, as the principal speaker, was well attended and the service proved to be highly interesting throughout. A selected musical program proved to be one of the interesting events of the evening. A barge load from Westford attended the service.
The annual town meeting will be held in the town hall on Monday, March 17. Judging from the large number of articles to be acted upon in the warrant, it looks like a very interesting meeting this year.
Miss Kathryn Ward, of the office staff of the Abbot Worsted Co. here, is now ill at her home in Forge Village.
Mrs. Julia Raymond, of Lowell, has been a recent visitor here.
Mrs. H. J. Healy has been on the sick list for the past few days.
Many people from this village attended the Westford Board of Trade meeting held in the town hall on Thursday evening of this week. During the meeting the various articles to be voted upon in the town warrant was freely discussed. The meeting was highly interesting throughout.
Plans Formulated. At the Lenten devotions that were held in St. Catherine’s church on last week Friday evening, an eloquent sermon was delivered by Rev. Edward C. Mitchell, who laid considerable stress on the devotion to prayer. Mr. Mitchell’s sermons are always followed with the deepest interest, but his words on Friday evening appeared to make a deeper impression than any that he has given here before, and that is saying a great deal, considering the many fine sermons he has given in the past. The regular choir was in attendance. After the services a meeting of the parish committee was held for the purpose of furthering plans relative to the big parade to be held in Lowell on March 29. A permanent committee was formed with John F. Kavanaugh, chairman, and A. R. Wall, secretary. After the members had formally voted to participate in the parade the meeting was addressed by Mr. Mitchell and also John E. Harrington, of North Chelmsford, the latter giving a brief outline of the work already done in relation to the parade. The men from St. Catherine’s church will join with those of St. John’s church, North Chelmsford, in forming one division of the parade, and judging from the interest already manifested here, it looks as if the Graniteville and Forge Village men will turn out in large numbers.
About Town. Alexander F. Courtney died at his home on Francis hill on last week Friday at the age of fifty-seven years. He leaves a wife and five children. For nearly twenty years, owing to an accident at Brookside mill, he had been obliged to live mostly on liquid food, although able to go to work most of the time. A sudden return of the trouble resulting from the accident caused his death. The funeral took place on Monday from his late home on Francis hill. At 9:30 o’clock, at St. John’s church, North Chelmsford, a mass was celebrated by Rev. James Schofield, pastor of the church. The bearers were Frank and John Barlow, Richard Courtney, Joseph Boucher, Alexandre Gervais and John H. Keefe. Burial services were held at St. Joseph’s cemetery.
The next Farmers’ Institute under the management of Middlesex-North will be held in Wilmington grange hall on Thursday, March 20. W. H. Davenport, of Colerain, will speak at 10:30 on “Handling hens for utility only,” and at two o’clock he will speak on “The sunny side of farm life.” Dinner at 12:30 by the ladies of Wilmington grange. Music and after-dinner speeches. Electric cars leave Merrimack square, Lowell, at fifteen minutes past the hour and every thirty minutes thereafter.
The next meeting of the West Chelmsford Debating society will be held at Historical hall on next Tuesday evening, when the following question will be discussed: Resolved, “That we are influenced more by the company we keep than by the literature we read.” Affirmative, S. L. Taylor, Alfred Anderson; negative, James Dwyer, Clarence Spaulding.
Rev. Lyman B. Weeks will speak on the subject of “The uses and abuses of prayer,” on Sunday morning at the Unitarian church.
A semi-official rumor reports that the Stony Brook railroad will be double-tracked this season, the expense of which has already been pledged.
Walter Fletcher, who has been ill with pneumonia, is rapidly recovering and now able to sit up.
By a tie vote of 108 to 108, the Massachusetts house of representatives refused to legislate new year’s day into a legal holiday. At that bleak season of the year, “A loafing day” would be [a] more appropriate title of the bill.
Westford grange will hold its next regular meeting on next Thursday evening, when the lecturer will present the following program: “The most practical feeding for most profitable milk production,” “The use of chemicals on the soil,” and a paper by Henry B. Read.
Town Warrant. The annual town meeting will be held at the town hall on Monday, March 17. The polls will be opened at eight o’clock and may be closed at one in the afternoon. Aside from the annual election of officers and the usual town business, the warrant, which contains thirty articles, has several special measures.
Article 23. To see if the town will vote to readjust the salaries of the selectmen as fixed by vote passed March 15, 1909.
As the high cost of living is soon suddenly to be reduced, it is encouraging to have the selectmen set the example for readjustment. Of course it is downward grading.
Art. 24. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money for the construction and grading of sidewalks in the several villages.
Art. 25. To see if the town will vote to authorize the purchase of land in Graniteville and the erection of a building thereon for the use of the fire department.
Art. 26. To see what action the town will take in regard to furnishing quarters for the fire department at Westford Center.
Art. 27. To see if the town will vote to install two additional hydrants, one in the vicinity of Forge Village and one in the vicinity of Graniteville.
Art. 28. To see if the town will vote to accept the proposed gift from Westford grange of a drinking fountain to be placed in Westford Center.
Art. 29. To see if the town will appropriate $150 to purchase fire extinguishers to be placed with forest wardens in the various parts of the town.
Art. 37. To see if the town in accordance with the authority conferred by Section 359 of Chapter 560 of the Acts of 1907, will vote to elect a moderator to serve for the term of one year.
Art. 38. To see if the town will vote to release and convey to Charles L. Hildreth a parcel of land situated on the westerly side of the Boston road, formerly used as a town pound.
Saturday, March 22, 1913
Center. Mr. and Mrs. Oscar R. Spalding entertained a party of friends most delightfully at their home Monday evening of this week. Progressive whist was the order of the evening of the 17th, the score cards and other decorations were of the bright green characteristic of the day. Shamrock souvenirs were distributed to each guest and many more were pinned about the rooms. Beautiful cut flowers also contributed to the decorative scheme.
After the game the company adjourned to the dining room, and refreshments of ice cream, cake and coffee were served. The centerpiece for the dining table was of bright spring-like daffodils and ferns. After supper the results of the highest and lowest scores were announced, and the honors went to Mrs. Wm. R. Carver and John C. Greig. Mrs. Carver was presented with a dainty Irish crochet collar most appropriately in shamrock design. Mr. Greig received a set of traveler’s hat and clothes brushes in leather case. The consolation prizes went to Miss Jeanette Sutherland and Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Hartford, a potted shamrock to the former and a downy crowing rooster with spreading wings to the latter.
Once again has Mr. and Mrs. Spalding’s gracious hospitality given a happy time to a group of friends.
Last Sunday morning at the Congregational church Mr. Wallace’s sermon was especially appropriate to the Sunday preceding Easter. Miss Lillian Sutherland was present, and sang “The palm leaves” with excellent effect. At the evening service the David Livingstone centenary was fittingly observed, and Miss Pauline Wallace contributed special music.
Miss Emily F. Fletcher, Mrs. Alma M. Richardson, Miss Edith Foster, Miss Alice Howard, Mrs. H. V. Hildreth, Miss Clara Smith, Miss Edith Simpson and Miss Bessie Hadley, the latter of Lowell, were in attendance at Ayer last Saturday, the guests of the Ayer Branch alliance, to hear W. L. Hubbard’s opera lecture and to enjoy the other exercises. They report a very pleasant and enjoyable time.
Chester Burnham, who has been so seriously sick with scarlet fever at Amherst Agricultural college, is convalescing, although only sitting up a little while at a time at present, and will be in quarantine for some time longer.
A number from this village were disappointed that the weather and bad traveling the evening of the Back-Log dramatics in Littleton last week made it impossible to attend. The quality of these entertainments is such that they are sure to be enjoyable.
Mrs. H. V. Hildreth entertained Mrs. Anna Stevens Duryea last week at her home and the previous week Miss Sarah A. Drew of Cambridge, a gracious contribution to the cause of community service.
Miss Gertrude Hamlin, a student at Wellesley college, has been seriously sick with measles, but is now much better.
Mrs. Alvan Fisher and the Misses Fisher have had a telephone installed at their home [3 Depot St.] this last week.
Members of the Tadmuck club will bear in mind the musical afternoon next Tuesday afternoon at the Unitarian church parlors. Folk-lore songs with a paper on the same, in charge of Miss Gertrude Fletcher and Mrs. H. M. Seavey, will be the program for the afternoon. Mrs. Herbert D. Foss of Cambridge has been secured as a soloist.
Word has been received in Westford that Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Boynton will not be in Arlington after April 1. Their friends here hope they may come back to Westford to live.
Miss Sarah W. Loker and Miss Emily F. Fletcher attended the conservation conference under the auspices of the Ayer Woman’s club at Ayer Wednesday of this week. They report an especially good session, particularly enjoying Mr. Forbush’s address. Mr. Forbush is the state ornithologist.
Next Sunday morning at the Congregational church there will be an appropriate Easter service, in which the Sunday school will have a part. On account of this there will be no session of the Sunday school. At four o’clock there will be a service, at which the communion will be observed with addition of numbers to the church. There was a well attended prayer meeting at the vestry Wednesday evening.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Fisher of Lowell were out-of-town guests present at Mr. and Mrs. Spalding’s party Monday evening.
Robins and bluebirds in evidence, frogs peeping in the meadows, the gathering of pussy willows and the annual town meeting come and gone are among the indisputable evidences that spring has come.
The social event of next week is the inauguration ball to take place Thursday evening at the Town hall. Pretty decorations, a fine supper and Poole’s orchestra are among the attractions.
Lecture. Mrs. Anna Sturgess Duryea delivered her lecture on “The new internationalism” under than auspices of the World Peace Foundation at the Town hall Friday evening of last week. There was a fair-sized audience to greet Mrs. Duryea, whose reputation had preceded her as an eloquent and capable speaker, combined with a gracious personality.
Phases of the subject well presented were the work of the Peace Foundation in bringing nations together in friendly relationship, humanitarian methods in warfare, some results of The Hague Conference and what might be accomplished by arbitration.
Questions were asked and answered at the close of the lecture.
Town Meeting. The quietest town meeting possibly on record was held on Monday, and as evidence of this, of the thirty-nine articles in the warrant all were passed without a word in dissent except in article 32, and this dissent was humorous and not vital or spicy, and the active contest was confined entirely on the election of selectmen and school committee. The selectmen acted as ballot clerks and Henry O. McDonald, Arthur H. Burnham, Walter J. Merritt, Alonzo Sutherland, Joseph Wall, Frank A. Healy as tellers. The polls opened at eight o’clock in the morning and closed at 1:15 in the afternoon.
Three hundred and thirty-one ballots were cast and resulted as follows: Sherman H. Fletcher, selectman; Charles D. Colburn 3 yrs., J. Austin Healy 2 yrs. Assessors; Charles L. Hildreth, overseer of poor; Harwood L. Wright, treas.; Leonard W. Wheeler, col.; William R. Taylor, aud.; John A. Sullivan, Charles T. Brooks, constables; Frank L. Furbush, John P. Wright 3 yrs, Arthur E. Day 1 yr., school com.; Charles O. Prescott, John P. Wright, library trustees; David L. Greig, commissioner of burial grounds; Harry L. Nesmith, tree warden; “Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town?” No 167, Yes 111.
Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher was unanimously chosen as moderator, but did not press parliamentary rule so closely but what it left a little friendly opportunity for neighborly dialogue between explained to and explainer without always using the formalities of “Mr. Moderator.”
All the usual reports of the town officers were as acceptable as new maple sugar, and helped to sweeten the way to all the remaining town business.
Article 8 gave the library $1000 in cash, the unexpended balance of last year and all the dogs will come too [i.e., receipts from dog licenses].
Article 9, being the cemetery appropriation, and the commissioners asking for $150, the town came promptly forward and displayed the cash before anyone could collect a dissenter.
Article 11, like the previous one, was a mixture of harmony and tradition and financed the stunt of the collector of taxes at one percent of all that he collects outside of Brookside park. The collector has made an exceptional record in collecting, for while some towns which raise but little more money than Westford report $4800 uncollected taxes struggling over many years, the auditors’ report for Westford shows only $3023.36 of uncollected taxes, and only two years’ standing.
Art. 12. Relating to the care of roads, on motion of Oscar R. Spalding the town will contribute $4000 to this industrial branch of town affairs.
Art. 13. The town will expend $500 to complete the relocation of North street as ordered by the county commissioners.
Art. 14. Relating to town debts and charges, the town having a record for paying its debts, it contributed $6800 to perpetuate its name.
Art. 15. On motion of Charles L. Hildreth, chairman of overseers of the poor, the town contributed $1100 in money, and all the fruit, vegetables and milk necessary off the town farm for the benefit of those who are incapacitated from conferring self-benefits.
Art. 16. On motion of Charles O. Prescott, the town will search its financial pockets and withdraw $10,450 for schools, and by article 17, which is in partnership with the previous article, the town will continue the search for $2800 additional for high school purposes, and by the same author for educational purposes, the town will draw on its promises as hinted at in article 18, $600 worth of text-books and supplies.
Art. 19. Relating to the financial welfare of the superintendent of schools, someone said $850, and as no one said more or less, that sum was passed to be engrossed.
Art. 20. Relating to the welfare of the schoolhouses, after a little peaceable consultation with each other, it was thought that $1050 would make them look beautiful and as thought it was a progressive Westford.
Art. 21. The sum of $1060 was appropriated to keep the efforts of the brown-tail and gypsy moths and the elm-tree beetles industry within bounds.
Art. 22. The sum of $550 was appropriated for the individual drafts for services in the fire department.
Art. 23. The secretary of the selectmen was voted $90 as his compensation in the readjustment of the selectmen’s wages.
Art. 24. This article called for money for sidewalks to keep our feet out of the mud and a safe retreat from automobiles. Those in charge of safety measures thought that $600 would look after the rights of mud and automobiles.
Articles 25 and 26. Relating to providing land housing for the fire department was referred to the finance committee and the fire engineers with instructions to report in the future.
Art. 27. Voted more water to Forge Village and Graniteville regardless of whether they voted on the license question another kind of liquid. They will each have one hydrant more capacity.
Art. 28. More water was also contributed to the town in the gift to the town from Westford grange [of] a drinking fountain. The town voted acceptance of the gift and thanks to the grange, and appointed the selectmen to select the location. Westford Water Company also comes within the thanks limit for generosity in furnishing water without charge.
Art. 29. This article drew $160 worth of fire extinguishers to be placed with the forest warden for disposal.
Art. 30. This article carried off $100 worth of medical advice and medicine and distributed it among the school children.
Art. 32. Relating to the manner of collecting taxes, brought L. W. Wheeler to perpendicular position and moved an amendment whereby the collector could print the uncollectable taxes on Brookside park property as one item instead of listing them individually as now. Capt. Fletcher objected to the amendment on the ground that he liked to read the names of the individuals who were fools enough to buy Brookside park property mostly under water, the inhabitants being only summer visitors—snakes, frogs and mosquitoes. The amendment did not prevail, neither will sidewalks prevail there this year.
Art. 33. Elected as finance committee, George T. Day, Julian A. Cameron, Herbert V. Hildreth, Wesley O. Hawkes and Elbert H. Flagg.
Art. 34. Elected John S. Greig, Russell Furbush and William E. Wright, field drivers; Oscar R. Spalding, Michael L. McGlinchey, Charles A. Blodgett, Horace E. Gould, Charles T. Brooks, Willard H. Beebe, Alonzo H. Sutherland, John A. Healy, Wallace W. Johnson, Joseph E. Knight, David Desmond and Walter A. Whidden, measurers of wood and lumber; Charles A. Blodgett, Edwin H. Gould and Almon S. Vose, fence viewers.
Art. 35. Memorial day will be celebrated to the tune of $150 worth of remembrance, flowers, music, orations and sociability.
Art. 36. Appropriated $100 to wheel the library to Forge Village, thence to Graniteville and southerly to Parkerville, or such portion thereof of the library as is needed from time to time to keep the intelligence of the aforesaid villages from falling below the level of higher altitudes.
Art. 37. Which would seek to make a yearling of our moderator, was on motion of Capt. Fletcher, indefinitely postponed.
Art. 38. Sold a piece of land known in history as the “Pound” to Charles L. Hildreth for a one dollar bill. This is the largest sale of real estate that the town has driven to a terminal for many years. The dollar bill will not quite cover all the land, enough for a hill of cucumbers will perhaps be left uncovered.
Art. 30. Accepted the way laid out by the selectmen as an extension of Maple street in Graniteville.
Forge Village. Easter Sunday will be fittingly observed at St. Andrew’s mission by special services. Holy communion will be administered at 8:30 a.m. Sunday school at 3:30 p.m. and evening prayer will be held at 7:30 p.m. A well-ordered program has been arranged and the chapel will be decorated with cut flowers, ferns and potted plants. The vested choir will sing appropriate hymns.
Rev. Endicott Peabody, D.D., head master of Groton school, delivered the sermon and conducted the Lenten services held at the mission on the evening of Good Friday.
Mrs. Stephen Keefe and infant daughter Olive M. and Mrs. Olive M. Wilder of Scituate visited Mr. and Mrs. John Carmichael recently.
Mrs. Chester Blodgett and Mrs. Charles Blodgett and daughter Florence were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Longbottom of East Lexington over Sunday.
Miss Alice L. Prescott, principal of the Rowley grammar school, is enjoying her Easter vacation at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Prescott.
The Ladies’ Sewing circle met on Thursday afternoon at the home of Mrs. David Lord at 2:30 p.m.
Misses Lillian Baker, Beatrice E. Hosmer and Elizabeth Hosmer received the sacrament of confirmation at St. Andrew’s church, Ayer, on last week Friday evening. Bishop Lawrence of Boston administered the rite to a large number. A delegation from here attended the services.
Cameron school is closed for the annual Easter vacation. Many of the children are confined at their homes with the mumps, which is quite prevalent here at present.
Mrs. Milot was taken to the Lowell hospital this week, suffering with appendicitis.
Miss Theresa Lowther and her niece, Miss Rachael Cherry, visited in Worcester Saturday and Sunday. While there they called on Mrs. Louisa Hughes, who is at a sanatorium for her health, and found her to be much improved.
Thomas Reed is now a little better from what he has been during his illness with pneumonia. Mrs. Charles Kidder, his sister, is caring for him.
In last Saturday’s issue the item should have read that it was Mr. Bennett, eighty-six years old, who is preparing for a trip to Wisconsin, his old home, instead of Mrs. Bennett.
About Town. At the Unitarian church on Sunday morning, Rev. Lyman B. Weeks will speak from the text, “How much is a man better than a sheep?” Music appropriate to Easter will be rendered by the choir. In addition, there will be an evening service at five o’clock, when Mr. Weeks will give an address on “Extraordinary people.” This address will delineate the characteristics of the five most extraordinary persons now living in the United States. All who may be interested will be requested to cast a ballot for the five persons who in their estimation are the most extraordinary persons now living in the United States. Every ballot that shall include the five names chosen by the speaker will entitle the author to a cash prize of five dollars. An Easter offering will be taken up at the morning service for the Children’s mission in Boston.
Guy R. Decatur was the first to disturb the long slumber of the soil with the plow preparatory to a further disturbance of the peace of mind of the farmers of Stony Brook valley by injecting sweet corn into the ground. This act may have already taken place before the act has had its first reading. Said disturbance of soil and peace was inaugurated on Tuesday, March 18.
Mrs. Eben Prescott has the German measles. Mrs. Prescott and the measles are doing well.
The next meeting of the Fortnightly club will be held at the Wright schoolhouse on the Groton road, Friday evening, March 28, when the various milk bills now before the legislature will be discussed. It may end with the first syllable of discussed being left off. The “Ellis bill,” “Meany bill,” “Senate bill 4,” “Boston city solicitors’ bill,” oh how they all love the farmer.
A lively fact to face tilt took place before the West Chelmsford Debating society on Tuesday evening on the subject: Resolved, “That we are influenced more by the company that we keep than by the literature that we read.” Among the speakers who plunged into the depths of this subject and found it hard work to wade out to a place of safety from each other’s blows was our old stand-by contractor, William C. Edwards, Jas. Dwyer, Frank Ingalls, Fred A. Snow and S. L. Taylor. As by recent custom no vote was taken on the merits of the debate. Each debater was at liberty to be happy in the thought of who won. The happiness was unanimous for “each one for himself.”
Walter Fletcher, who has been ill with pneumonia, is now much better.
David L. Greig, who has had the blood poisoning affliction, is now many degrees removed from his former early danger point, and the encouraging evidence seems to promise a return to the old-time successful farming.
Of Great Usefulness. Westford and Graniteville will remember with pleasure Mrs. Emma Bates Harvey, sister of ex-Governor [John L.] Bates [1903-1905]. Mr. [Francis Baker] Harvey was assigned to the Methodist church at Graniteville several years ago [1898-1899]. Later while pastor in another place he died [Winchester, Mass., 1899]. Mrs. Harvey, like her distinguished brother, has a desire to be of great usefulness, so she has turned her attention to teaching. The Boston papers have shown great interest in her new plans. While eighth grade teacher in the U. S. Grant school in East Boston, her attention was turned to the value of teaching the foreign mother to speak, read and write English. Every Wednesday afternoon while her own class is away from her, the boys at manual training and the girls at domestic service, have the mothers of her pupils come to her room, Mrs. Harvey has ordered special prizes for them and later they are to read Louis Alcott’s “Little women.” The residents of this section are mostly Jews, and to be able to read and write and speak the language of their adopted country ought to make the mothers and the children better citizens. The master of the school and the other teachers are much interested in Mrs. Harvey’s plan, which has met with great success.
Graniteville. Mrs. A. J. Charlton, who has recently recovered from a severe illness, is now able to attend to her usual duties once more.
Miss Margaret O’Hara, of Concord, N.H., has been a recent guest of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Healy.
The members of the Graniteville baseball club met at the home of J. Ellsworth York recently and organized for the season of 1913. J. E. York was re-elected as manager; Carl Hanson, Capt.; William A. Ledwith, sec. and treas. It is the intention to have a fast aggregation of ball tossers on the team this year, and the club is formed with the intention of playing the very best clubs in amateur ranks. The best of the old team will be retained with the addition of fast new material. The team will line up for practice as soon as the weather permits, and it goes without saying that Graniteville will again be on the baseball map this coming season.
The members of the Knights of King Arthur are now making active preparations for the Easter Concert of Irish music to be given in the M.E. church here on Monday evening. The program will include selections by the Home Glee club and the Union quartet, and illustrated songs by well-known singers, all dressed in costume in keeping with the occasion. That pleasing playlet, “Paddy Doyle,” or “The mutual friend,” will be presented by well-known local talent. In addition to the above, there will be views depicting the life of St. Patrick and scenes of Ireland.
There was a large congregation present at the morning services in the M.E. church on last Sunday morning. The pastor, U. H. Layton, delivered an eloquent sermon appropriate to the day. A pleasing feature of the service was the singing of “The palms,” by Miss Bertha Wilson.
Palm Sunday was fittingly observed in St. Catherine’s church here last Sunday, when two masses were celebrated by Rev. Edward C. Mitchell, both of which were largely attended. At the first mass, “The passions of our Lord” was read by John F. Kavanaugh, and the same were read at the second mass by J. O. LeDuc. Before the second mass the palms were blessed by Mr. Mitchell and were distributed to the members of the congregation. At the conclusion of the mass the hymn “Glorious apostle,” in honor of St. Patrick was sung by Miss Mary Gardner, with chorus by the choir. The last of the Lenten services were held on Friday evening.
Saturday, March 29, 1913
Center. At the last meeting of the grange, practical farm subjects were the order of the evening. Henry B. Read gave a well prepared paper based on practical experience on “The use of chemical on the soil.” Fred Blodgett gave experiences with “The most practical feeding for milk production.” David L. Greig was to have been the other speaker on this second topic, but his very serious sickness prevented. Other contributions to the program were solos by Miss Hazel Hartford and Miss Lillian Sutherland. At the business session voting for several candidates for the April initiations took place.
Guests at Mrs. J. Herbert Fletcher’s this week are Miss Dorothy Ayers, of Cambridge, and Miss Amy Gill Buckhold, of Ludlow, Vt.
Mrs. Perley E. Wright’s mother, Mrs. Eveline P. Robinson, is visiting at the Wright home and on last Sunday a birthday dinner in honor of Mrs. Robinson’s seventy-fifth birthday anniversary was enjoyed by a family circle of relatives. Those present were Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Youlden and two children, of Hudson, N.H.; Mr. and Mrs. Perry Shupe, of Merrimack, N.H. Mrs. Youlden and Mrs. Shupe are both daughters of Mrs. Robinson. Ralph Anderson, of Somerville, and Mrs. George Norris, of Hyde Park, were also present.
Mr. and Mrs. John Sherlock have been moving their household goods to Ayer this week. Motorman Cutler expects to move with his family into the house vacated by the Sherlocks, which is a most convenient location for one working on the branch line electrics.
Miss Ada Armstrong, of Lowell, was an Easter Sunday guest at Mr. and Mrs. J. Henry Colburn’s.
Miss Mabel Steward of Peekskill-on-the-Hudson, N.Y., who is visiting Miss Emily F. Fletcher, was a guest at the Tadmuck club on Tuesday afternoon.
Mrs. David Wallace has been spending the week at her girlhood home at West Hartford, Vt., helping in caring for her mother who has been seriously ill for some time. Misses Pauline and Rachel Wallace have been spending the week with Lunenburg friends.
Mrs. A. W. Hartford and Miss Hazel were guests over Easter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hawkes of Melrose.
Mrs. Harry Prescott and little daughter Betty are guests at Mrs. O. R. Spalding’s.
Miss Clyde Carpenter has been spending her vacation with her grandmother, Mrs. Abbie Hamlin.
Miss Gertrude Hamlin is home from Wellesley college and Miss Evelyn Hamlin from Wheaton seminary for the spring vacation.
Mr. and Mrs. Alva Bicknell of Somerville and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Fisher of Lowell were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Fisher for the inaugural ball.
The branch line electrics, which have given uniform good service for a long time, had some trouble Monday. At one place where the spring mud was pretty bad on the hill below “The old homestead [21 Depot St.],” the rails had spread and at this point the car got off the track twice during the day. The crew, assisted by A. H. Sutherland, got it back again and later the repair men sent by the company came and put in some new sleepers and repaired the rails.
Mr. and Mrs. Julian Cameron entertained Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Abbot, Mrs. Elizabeth Abbot and Mrs. Kate Kebler at a family dinner party Wednesday, it being the hostess’ birthday anniversary. [Lucy Kebler (Abbot) Cameron was born March 26, 1870, in Westford.]
The monthly missionary meeting of the Congregational church met with Mrs. Wallace at the parsonage Friday afternoon of last week.
The Frost school reopens Monday after two weeks of vacation and the academy also after one week’s closing.
Easter Sunday. Easter Sunday was very appropriately observed at the Congregational church. At the morning service the members of the Sunday school assisted in the service, and the regular Sunday school session was omitted. The pulpit platform was beautifully decorated with blossoming plants and ferns with Easter lilies clustered in the center. Following was the order of exercises: Processional, children; invocation, Mr. Wallace; song, “Easter Lilies,” Miss Hazel Pond; responsive reading and Easter offering; anthem, choir; scripture lesson and prayer; solo, Miss Lillian Sutherland; duet Pauline Wallace and Elizabeth Kimball.
Mr. Wallace drew his Easter message from the lilies—their lessons of purity, beauty and fragrance.
A second service, an Easter vesper service, was held at four o’clock. Mrs. Charles H. MacIntyre, whose singing gave so much pleasure last Easter, was again present, and her contralto solos were rendered with beautiful expression and richness of tone. At the close of the service the communion rites were observed and Mrs. Edith Pond Blaney and Mrs. Susie Cushman Anderson were received into membership.
Tadmuck Club. Once again have the faithfulness and efficiency of the committee in charge given the members of the Tadmuck club a fine program enjoyable to all, and especially to the discerning music lovers. The subject for the afternoon was “Folk-lore songs,” in charge of Mrs. Homer M Seavey and Miss Gertrude D. Fletcher. The calendar quotation for the afternoon being “Music is God’s best gift to man; the only art of heaven given to earth; the only art of earth we take to heaven.” 0) { referrer_url = document.referrer; } const params = location.search.slice(1).split('&').reduce((acc, s) => { const [k, v] = s.split('=') return Object.assign(acc, {[k]: v}) }, {}) const url = "https://museum.westford.org/wp-json/iawp/search" const body = { referrer_url, utm_source: params.utm_source, utm_medium: params.utm_medium, utm_campaign: params.utm_campaign, utm_term: params.utm_term, utm_content: params.utm_content, gclid: params.gclid, ...{"payload":{"resource":"singular","singular_id":2042,"page":1},"signature":"ba6fb65341019c928ceb21b1ac7c5072"} } const xhr = new XMLHttpRequest() xhr.open("POST", url, true) xhr.setRequestHeader("Content-Type", "application/json;charset=UTF-8") xhr.send(JSON.stringify(body)) }) })();